China has quietly introduced a rule under which chipmakers must use at least 50% domestically produced equipment when adding new semiconductor manufacturing capacity, reports Reuters. The move could potentially reshape procurement decisions, accelerate local tool adoption, and squeeze foreign suppliers out of the Chinese market.
However, there are a number of catches with this requirement: firstly, authorities grant waivers for advanced fabs; secondly, Chinese industry cannot produce enough litho systems, if the numbers via Reuters are accurate.
